PRINCE2 - Simple Step By Step Study Sequence

First, recognise that the Manual is split into key sections, and should be referenced along with my PRINCE2 Step By Step Guide.

My Recommended PRINCE2 Study Sequence:

1. Read the short introduction chapter, paying particular attention to the six aspects of PRINCE2 project performance and management. Be clear about the scope of PRINCE2.

2. You must grasp the seven PRINCE2 principles - to the point of memorising their names and purpose. These principles are always applied. As an exercise after you have followed all my steps. write a sentence on how the Principles are applied for each PRINCE2 Process.

3. Notice the PRINCE2 Manual is split broadly into three sections after the Principles chapter. The first chapters address the seven Themes and the last chapters describe the Processes and the Appendices. So next up, memorise the two-page Theme introduction section , and the same for the short Processes introduction.  Thus far, you will have gained a very good high-level understanding of the PRINCE2 Method.

4. The bedrock of PRINCE2 isproduct-based planning and is aligned with the principle of product focus. Go to Appendix D and spend some time really understanding the technique. I've found it's helpful to think of a simple project you may be aware of, get a pad of post-it notes, and try to re-create the product breakdown structure. Then go on to create the product flow diagram.

Remember. A product will be described as a noun or outcome (e.g. refurbished room) - whereas an activity - a task, would be described with a verb and noun (e.g. write the report).

Of particular importance in this section, is for you to understand the structure of both the regular Product Description and the one-per-project Project Product Description. To help with this, go to the product-based planning section of the Plans Theme and spend 10 minutes recognising the sequence and purpose of each step.

The PRINCE2 Processes

5. Use the diagram below to understand that some Processes are used once per project, some are used regularly at specific points, and that the Directing a Project, once started, is used continually. This alone will start to bring PRINCE2 alive in your mind!

You must now read in detail, the purpose, objectives, and context of each Process. This will give you a rock-solid framework of understanding the PRINCE2 Method..

The PRINCE2 Themes

6. See these sections as 'approaches'. For example, the Business Case Theme broadly describes what a Business Case consists of, its purpose, and when it is used. You can skim read each PRINCE2 Theme in turn, paying particular attention to their 'purpose' sections. Note that most of the seven Themes are referenced and applied during most of the seven Processes.

The PRINCE2 Appendices

7. Here is a quick study note on those that you should study now:

          - Appendix A. There are two broad categories of products in PRINCE2 - specialist products and management
                               products. The former will depend on the nature and type of the project - if you are building a
                               house, an example of a specialist product would be 'installed bathroom'.

The Manual makes no attempt to describe the infinite variety of such specialist products - only stating that each project would normally contain many of them. By contrast, management products are created for every project (for example, the Project Plan).

Appendix A contains management Product Descriptions (see them as templates) for management products. Make no attempt to memorise them at this point! It is important to note the three types of Management Products in this section.

          - Appendix C. Get a good feel for the eight main PRINCE2 roles, and read these in conjunction with the PRINCE2
                               approach to organization within the Organization Theme.

I strongly suggest you copy these steps and print them out.

Treat these as your pre-course preparation study tasks, and go through each, crossing them off in turn as you go. This will give you a structured approach to studying the PRINCE2 Method, plus a massive sense of encouragement and achievement.